主播大秀

鈥淭here are fireworks exploding in my head!鈥� said 14-year-old Callum after he finally got to meet the Prince of Wales at a folk evening in his Welsh home on the estate of Llwynywormwood near , .

Callum had spent the day as part of the royal press pack (the 'royal rota') for a new . Starting on the Doctor Who set with Matt Smith and a variety of monsters, he had followed the royal entourage to an opening of a new building in Cardiff, then on to the secluded Welsh home The Prince of Wales has set up with the Duchess of Cornwall. 鈥淚 love the peace and quiet here,鈥� the Duchess told Callum, 鈥渢here鈥檚 nothing except the odd sheep munching away on the grass鈥�.

Callum was one of three young reporters who set out to investigate the role of the royal family in Britain today. After a week of privileged access to events being hosted by both Her Majesty The Queen and the Prince of Wales, the young people had considerably deepened their understanding of the modern monarchy.

鈥淚 thought the Queen would spend her time chillaxing on the throne,鈥� said 13-year-old Aleem from MIddlesborough, 鈥渂ut she spends a lot of time handing out awards and things, which shows that she really does care. 听That鈥檚 what I鈥檓 really proud of鈥�.听听

The children鈥檚 visit to the royal palaces and homes co-incided with a typically busy summer schedule of garden parties and royal ceremonies. At Buckingham Palace, there was an investiture ceremony at which both Mo Farrah and Ewan McGregor were awarded OBEs, and a special garden party for the . At Clarence House, there was a medal giving ceremony for soldiers of the Royal Dragoon Guards who had completed their first tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Twelve-year old Saffron was lucky enough to be given a tour of Buckingham Palace by Samantha Cohen, Assistant Private Secretary to the Queen. She was fascinated by details of state banquets and visits by presidents and dignitaries, but she was most keen to hear about the Queen鈥檚 鈥渉omework鈥� 听- the red boxes of official letters presented to Her Majesty at 11 o鈥檆lock every morning by her private secretaries. 鈥淲e all moan about being given homework,鈥� said Saffron candidly, 鈥渉ow does the Queen feel about hers?鈥�

Another highlight for the young people was interviewing the Prime Minister at Downing Street about the relationship between the monarchy and the government. 鈥淲ho is really in charge?鈥� asked Aleem.听

That evening, David Cameron attended a prestigious ceremony at Buckingham Palace for the winners of the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, to which our reporters were also invited. 听To the children鈥檚 delight, the Prime Minister greeted them on the steps of the Palace with great enthusiasm, and complimented them on their interviewing skills earlier in the day.

There are six films in the series, all of which blend archive with the unique access offered to our young reporters. The films cover everything from the Coronation of the Queen and her role in modern Britain, to the relationship between the military and the royal family and the function of the Commonwealth.

Produced by C主播大秀, the series was commissioned to coincide with the birth of the royal baby, and the Coronation festival at Buckingham Palace this week.听

听But the ambition behind the films goes beyond satisfying a surge of excitement about the monarchy sparked by the arrival of a new member of the royal family.

From an educational point of view, understanding our constitutional monarchy and how it has evolved through history is an important starting point for engaging with the political process. 听These films will be available online for the next five to ten years 鈥� providing what we hope will be an invaluable resource for schools, helping a new generation of children to understand some of the foundations of our (unwritten) constitution and - ultimately - our democracy.

听 is Executive Producer, 主播大秀 Learning Zone

• The will broadcast as a compilation听on 18th July at 5.00am听on 主播大秀 Two and will be made .